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Iowa response limits pseudorabies trade impacts
Iowa's response to a recent pseudorabies case demonstrated how established animal health protocols can protect both livestock and export markets. The virus was detected in a small commercial swine herd after pigs that had previously been housed in Texas were moved into Iowa. Those animals had been exposed to feral swine, which are known carriers of pseudorabies in parts of the southern United States. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said Iowa's response followed long-established disease...
CLAAS innovating its forage technology to celebrate 50 years
This year marks 50 years of the CLAAS JAGUAR forage harvester, and they have spent the year celebrating by continuing to innovate. Next year will bring even more improvements, with an earlage adapter and an enhanced chopping drum. Daryl Theis, head of sales and...
How long will this time of low crop profit margins continue?
USDA is projecting that 2024 will be the second straight year of falling crop prices and slim profits. How long should farmers expect this trend to continue? USDA Chief economist Seth Meyer says that to break out of this negative pattern, the United States ag markets...
John Deere announces more Iowa layoffs
John Deere has another round of layoffs scheduled at its plant in Iowa. The facility in Waterloo Works, Iowa, is the company’s largest plant. The state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, website says the company will lay off more than 100...
House hearing focuses on improper labeling of dairy products
The Food and Drug Administration performs the critical task of providing consumers with clear nutritional information by enforcing labeling standards, but there is still work to be done on the misuse of terms on labels. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin said she’s...
Settling into a long-term period of low commodity prices
It’s no surprise to you that market prices for grains are low. They’re nowhere near what we enjoyed a few years ago. Many factors are driving this situation, but understanding them doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. The main question I Have been hearing farmers...
Beef-dairy cows providing added-value for producers
A growing trend in animal agriculture is the breeding of dairy cows with beef bulls to take advantage of desirable traits and provide added value for producers. The process, also known as beef-on-dairy, can improve the value of the calf says Olivia Genther-Shroder of...
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More Ag News
Proposed port service fees would hurt red meat exports
The office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) held hearings this week on a proposal to impose a service fee for each U.S. port call of a Chinese-operated ship, or a per-net-ton service fee applied on the ship’s carrying capacity. While they do support the overall...
Recapping the winter weather season
For the most part, the 2024-2025 winter season in Iowa was mild with warmer temperatures and not much precipitation to help replenish soil moisture levels. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the final numbers from the winter months of December, January, and...
Producers have until April 15th to enroll in key safety net programs
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025 to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm...
Secretary Naig praises Iowa farmers during Iowa Ag Week
National Ag Week and Day were two weeks ago, and Iowa celebrated Iowa Ag Week last week. However, the events come to a culmination tonight in Ankeny for the Ag Leaders Dinner. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to speak along with Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig. It’s...
Enhanced corn traits can help battle rootworm pressure
The weather has warmed up significantly as of late, and that means that planting season is right around the corner. The team at DEKALB is excited to see how the proven VT4PRO technology will perform against this year’s pest pressure. Seth Irwin, DEKALB product...
